When Should I Seek Help

Introduction

Ms. Fontana has resided in Singapore for over thirteen years and she is a Permanent Resident of Singapore. She combines her clinical training in the United States with her experience in both the expatriate community and the local Singaporean community to provide culturally sensitive therapy. Ms. Fontana has extensive experience with the local community through her counselling work at Aware.org, Alife, The Star Shelter, Singapore Anti-Narcotic Association and Simei Health Care. Ms. Fontana also provides intensive treatment for child clients at residential care through her liaison with MCYS.

Her involvement in the expatriate community extends to her works as the Southeast Asian contact for Asherman's Syndrome. Ms. Fontana founded Singapore Active Toddlers in 2007 for both local and expatriate parents and was board member of New Mother Support Group (NSMG) in Singapore. Finally, Ms. Fontana is a member of Primetime, Business and Professional Women’s Association.

Ms. Fontana draws upon her clinical training and eight years of experience in counseling as well as her professional experience of over fifteen years in sales with fortune 1000 companies in United States. She provides both individual and couple therapy. Ms. Fontana has specialized training to work with children and their families. She is dedicated to improving the lives of others through well researched interventions and she looks forward to working with each client.

Qualifications

Ms. Fontana completed her 3000 hour clinical practicum and internship in the United States under the supervision of a senior US licensed Counselor (LPC). Ms. Fontana has passed the U.S. National Counselor EXAM (NCE) and is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) USA.

Ms. Fontana is a Certified Choice Theory Reality Therapy (CTRT) Therapist through the William Glasser Institute of Singapore. This is a 2 1/2 year program that consists of 2 intensive trainings, two practica and a certification session. A certified CTRT Therapist has demonstrated knowledge and skill of principals of Choice Theory, Reality Therapy and Lead-Management as authorized and endorsed by Dr. William Glasser. Ms. Fontana completed her advanced Intermediate training with top US Faculty Trainer Lucy Billings Robbins of The William Glasser International Institute USA and her certification with Ivan Honey of The William Glasser International Institute of Australia who developed Doug Dragster based in Choice Theory Reality Therapy. CTRT is based in the principals of helping people to learn internal control and improve important relationships. Ms. Fontana continues to deepen her knowledge of the principals and interventions of Choice Psychology by consulting with a US Faculty member of the William Glasser Institute

Ms. Fontana has assessment and diagnostic training using the DSM-IV. Since the DSM V has come out, Ms. Fontana has completed more training on the new DSM model to help her clients and be aware of the changes in how the psychiatric community is diagnosing poeple. She has extensive training in human development, psychopathology, addiction, child and family counselling. As required by the counselling profession and governing boards in the U.S.

Pre and Post Relationship Counselling for Partners with addiction. The outcome for sobriety and maintenance of sobriety is higher when the partner of the person with addiction attends counselling. Ms. Fontana helps couples evaluate their options for seeking detox and getting clean treatment as well providing counselling and skills for couples after the partner has attended an inpatient treatment. Ms. Fontana, as part of her Master's degree and continuing eduction received training in addiction counselling. Ms. Fontana can recommend both in-patient treatment facilities in the SE Asia region as well as option for outpatient treatment in Singapore.

Sex Therapist,

Ms. Fontana completed her Sex Therapy certification through The Advanced Mental Health Training Institute (AMHTI) an approved provider for the Florida Board of Psychology (exp. 3-15), (USA) Florida Board of Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling (exp. 5-14). Provider #50-11996. The title of “Sex Therapist” is a protected title in the State of Florida. FS 491, FAC 64B4-7.004 states the following:

This certification ensures that mental health counselors who hold themselves out to the public as sex therapists have completed a minimum level of training in the specific area of sex therapy and the general provision of clinical, counseling and psychotherapy services.

Training includes a minimum of 120 hours of approved education which meets the continuing education requirements of Rule Chapter 64B4-6, F.A.C., from twelve (12) of the following areas with a minimum of 10 hours in each area taken:

1. Sexual and Reproductive Anatomy and Physiology

2. Developmental Sexuality

3. Gender-Identity Issues

4. Socio-cultural factors in sexual values and behavior

5. Medical Factors Related to Sexuality and Sexual Functioning

6. Interaction between sexuality and dynamics of interpersonal and family relationships

17. Group therapy in treatment of sexual dysfunctions, disorders, and deviancy; and

Continuing Education & Training

As a truly professional individual and marriage counsellor, Ms. Fontana has continued to pursue her training to ensure she gives the best and latest individual and marriage counselling treatments to her clients. Ms. Fontana is always seeking to enhance her counselling skills and knowledge through continuing education and clinical supervision to ensure her clients the highest level of care.

Ms. Fontana continutes to enhance her training in systemtic relationship and sex therapy. She completed high level indidivual training with the esteemed Dr. Marty Klein, LMFT & Sex Therapist in August 2017 in Croatia. Her intensive clinical training continues to advance her skills and knowledge to help her clients with relationship issues and specifically sexual issues. It is a rare honor and priveldge to be able to private individually with Dr. Klein.

Ms. Fontana, in August 2016, completed 18 hours of training with Dr. Marty Klein, LMFT & Sex Therapist from the United States. Dr. Klein is one of the leading Sex Therapist and Relationship therapists in the world. He has spoke twice before the United States Congress on Sex Education. Dr. Klein is an international speaker and published author of 6 books on Sex and Relationships. He also maintains a private practice in Palo Alto California.

Ms. Fontana receives training and clinical supervision in Hypnotherapy and Sexual Counselling from Dr. Denisa Legac. Ms. Legal is both a Medical Doctor and a PhD Pyschotherapist, hynpotherapist and sex therapist. She is a founder of the first Hypnosexual therapy Society in Croatia and is recognized by WHO. Ms. Legac conducts international training events as well as has active private practice.

Ms. Fontana has completed her certification as a sex therapist in accordance with the professional and clinical guidelines of the American Association of Sexuality Educators Counselors and Therapists (AASECT). AASECT has ethical, educational and clinical guidelines for the ethical and clinical treatment of relational sex and intimacy problems. To date Ms. Fontana has completed over 250 clinical hours in sex therapy training above and beyond her Master Degree level training.

Ms. Fontana has completed Level 1 and Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Counselling with the founders Drs. Gottman in Australia. The Gottman Institute highly regulates languages and wording around titles that therapists may use in reference to their training.

Ms. Fontana has completed specialized training for children in Play Therapy with renown Gestalt Play Therapist Felicia Carrol. Her training with Ms. Carrol covered basic and intermediate Gestalt theory and integration of sandtray, puppets and clay for issues related to children and adults. Ms. Fontana's Experiential Play Therapy for Children with Trauma was with Dr. Byron Norton, licensed US Psychologist of Family Psychologist Services, USA. She has also completed person centered play therapy training along with Filial Therapy Training.

Because of her works with trauma and attachment issues with adults as well as children, Ms. Fontana has done several hundred hours of training in Trauma Therapy and Attachment based Therapy. Her training has been through the Attach.org as well as Marriage & Family Counselling, LLP in the United States.

Ms. Fontana has taken specialized training on infertility and relationships. Ms. Fontana has done several hundred hours in training on the divorce and the family in order to provide a grounded and evidence based approach on how divorce impacts individuals as well as the children. Ms. Fontana has done extensive research and training in how infidelity and cheating in the marriage impacts the relationship and the individuals.

Verification of Credentials

For Insurance, you can submit your bill to insurance company with this letter of explanation of NCC credentials

Professional Memberships:

American Counseling Association (ACA)

Singapore Association of Counselors (SAC)

Ms. Fontana upholds the ethical standards of treatment promoted by each of the memberships. Membership is important to Ms. Fontana as it allows her access to the latest research and training on mental health issues

Availability

Ms. Fontana is currently available for appointments Monday through Saturday. She has wide range of appointment options starting as early as 9am to 7pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm Saturdays. Please contact her to discuss availability.

Professional Speaking Engagements for expertise in Sex and Sexuality, Relationships and Mental Health:

Sex Expert at Product Launch for SmileMaker with Olgvy Marketing, April 2015

Multiple Speaking Engagments on 938LIVE with Angela in November and December 2015

Sleep Expert at Product Launch for Philips Lights for Children

Relationship Expert on Radio Program HOT 91.3 October 2012

Please contact us to learn how we may help your organization conduct customized trainings for relationships or mental health and wellbeing